Faith, Healing and Prayer
My friend Dale wrote a thought-provoking post on her blog this week. I wanted to leave a comment for her, but discovered I had too much to say about it. Her church recently hosted a guest speaker who proclaimed the necessity of faith in healing. It’s true Jesus spoke of a relationship between the two; He said several times “Your faith has healed you.” Dale’s question looks at the other side: What about those who are not healed? Is their faith less than sufficient?
I’ll take it a step further. What about unbelievers who receive healing? They certainly have less faith than believers, so why would they be healed while believers continue to suffer? My difficulty is not just with healing and faith, but also with prayer. Why are some prayers answered while others are not?
A recent conversation with a friend spun me into this very thinking. She is pregnant with their second child. While I am absolutely thrilled for them, I was honestly frustrated as well. You see, we struggled with infertility for four years before getting pregnant. My friend got pregnant immediately after going off birth control — with both pregnancies. They were able to plan it; to schedule it in their lives. Meanwhile, we seem prevented from planning anything. Even our second child was a surprise. Isabel came after we had given up hope of having a biological child of our own. We were actually deciding on adoption agencies when we learned she was coming. And Zach! Well, we were on two different kinds of birth control when God decided to send him our way. It’s frustrating to me that it’s so easy for some when I struggled so greatly. Why did I have to wait four years for God’s blessing and my friend only had to wait two weeks? All this going through my head, I said to her: “I don’t understand why biology works for some people and it just doesn’t for others.” Her answer: “It’s not about biology; it’s about God. I prayed about it and just felt right. It’s not about biology. We got pregnant because we prayed.”
Do you know how that made me feel?? I know she would never intentionally hurt me, but her answer assumed that I didn’t pray. Or if I did pray, I didn’t pray the right way. Or maybe I just didn’t have enough faith and that’s why we were unable to conceive.
When people talk about faith and the necessity of it, they need to be sensitive to their finite understanding of it. Faith is easy to define but impossible to comprehend. We can’t measure it because we can’t see it. We can’t judge the quality or degree of it because it’s completely intangible. Yes, faith is important, but it’s not a genie in a bottle. You can’t get what you want just because you have faith. If what you want is in line with God’s will, then, sure! You’ll get it — but not because you asked nicely. You get it because God planned it for you before the foundations of the earth. If what you pray for is not in line with God’s will, then it doesn’t matter how much faith you have or how nicely you ask. The words you use are irrelevant because God’s will always prevails.
We can talk about faith and healing and prayer all we want as long as we consistently return to this truth:
“‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” — Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor? Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding?” — Isaiah 40:12-14 (NIV)
We want everything to fit into neat, understandable order. That’s not going to happen. God doesn’t need our permission to do what He wants. He doesn’t even need our prayers or our faith. We also want to feel like we have a part in accomplishing things. If we believe God heals or answers prayers based on our faith, then we are taking credit for what He does – right? I mean, if we didn’t have faith, He wouldn’t heal or grant our prayers, would He? Of course He would! IF it’s His will to do so.
Our only option is to seek Him completely; crave to know Him intimately. Only when we truly know Him can we trust His work in our lives. Whether it is in line with our will or not, we can stand confident that His will is best.
Posted on October 10, 2007, in faithfulness, frustration, God's sovereignty, prayer. Bookmark the permalink. 13 Comments.
As I’ve mentioned before, as well as at Dale’s post on this issue, our church was going through the “name it, claim it” teaching when our daughter died. The day of her memorial service, two Sunday School classes used us and our “lack of faith, and its fatal result,” as their S.S. lesson. One woman at the church said to me, “If you pray really, really hard this time, it won’t happen again.”
I fully agree with all you shared, Tanya, and from experience. I had someone recently remark that when I pray, things happen. He’s wrong, it isn’t only when I pray, it’s when every believer who seeks the will of God, and obeys, things happen. And it’s according to Isaiah 55. I’ve simply learned to seek God’s will, so my prayers reveal to me His character–the name of Jesus isn’t a credit card–I want what He wants, so what I pray for seems to “happen.”
My life is one story after another of victory out of seeming tragedy–this is the faith He’s been faithful to teach me to walk by. I wouldn’t change a thing that’s “happened.”
Oh, by the by: when our daughter died, a close relative of ours gave up her healthy baby for adoption. Many said this wasn’t “fair,” and were angry and bitter about it. I wasn’t: our daughter was God’s will and blessing for OUR live, this relative had another road she walked. I want what God has for me, not what He has for someone else; how else will I learn His character and glorify Him?
Thank you for this post, Tanya!!! True faith is born from trusting and believing even when we don’t “see.” SOOO many people believe that God answers prayers a certain way because they are worthy of it. No matter what the outcome, God loves it when we turn to Him in prayer. I believe that just because we may not receive the answers that we desire, it doesn’t mean we deserve less or aren’t doing it correctly. God is always listening to us. We are His children. He loves us and knows what’s best for us even when we think we might know better. He knows that we are imperfect and unknowing. We seek to find the truth, and we should continue on this journey, but we’re not going to have all the answers.
In my daily life, I have to remember that no matter what others may say, God Himself is in charge! And although it may be difficult for me, I need to thank him for His answers and His ways, even if it might not be what I would’ve picked for myself, or understand the reasons why He has chosen something for me. I take comfort in knowing that His way is the only way that is perfect.
I’m confused when talking about “Gods way” what about free will. Didn’t God give us freedom? If he already has a predetermined life for us as you speak of, how are we free? I’m not trying to say that what you speak of is wrong but would like to hear your input on my thoughts.
Hey “Anonymous”! Thanks for stopping by.
I believe God did give us free will (to an extent), but our free will does not extend to Him. What I mean is whether we have free will or not doesn’t matter with things over which we have no control. Some things we have no control over – like infertility or a loved one’s illness – these are the things where God will have His will regardless of what we want or pray for.
To be more specific with your question … (and I really wish I had my Bible with me right now to provide verses, but …) I believe God draws to Himself those who will be His children, those who will believe. In the case of salvation, I don’t think we have free will. I belive God has predestined those who will be saved and resistence is futile.
But other than the matter of salvation, I definitely believe we have free will. (There are many who will debate me on this!) I don’t think God cares if I wear sweats or jeans today; an orange shirt or a pink one. And if He did predetermine our every choice, why would He determine for us to sin? Even after we’re saved, we make mistakes. These are the result of using our free will and making wrong choices. God created us to love and worship Him. Without free will, our doing that would not be love; it would be duty. He gives us the choice to love and obey Him as a direct reaction to all that He has done for us.
I would love to talk about this more! Feel free to email me anytime (tanyasue @ gmail . com).
I love this post and all the comments. How wonderful it is to know that we aren’t alone in the things we wrestle with and question.
You bring up some excellent points, and when I read “If what you want is in line with God’s will, then, sure! You’ll get it — but not because you asked nicely” I wondered if there was something that should be added there.
If God doesn’t give someone what is wanted it may not be an issue of being out of His will. It may just be that the request is not His will right now. Too often I feel like we give up on something God has placed on our hearts because it’s not happening in the time table we’re expecting. Based on the personal story you shared, I’m guessing you dig my ditch on this one.
Also, what do we do with the parable of the persistent widow? Or the woman in Matthew 15? Does steadfastness in prayer make a difference?
M.L. : THANK YOU for your comments! I love this discussion.
You’re right — sometimes it’s just a matter of timing. The persistent widow is a wonderful example. We are instructed to pray without ceasing. We must do that when we fully understand God’s will and when we are completely baffled by Him.
I believe prayer is more for us than it is for God. Scripture tells us the prayer of a righteous man is powerful, but I believe it’s powerful in changing us, not changing God. I think prayer brings us closer to Him and helps us to see ourselves better. But I certainly don’t have all the answers!!! Honestly, prayer is a mystery to me. As awesome as our God is, it amazes me that He would be interested in our thoughts, our petitions. It’s just wild!
I’m currently reading Philip Yancey’s book on “Prayer”. I definitely recommend it! It forces me to think on these things. That’s a good thing.
I am intrigued by the questions posed here, and I wanted to add my input, if that’s okay…
About predestination and our free will choices…God is the ONLY ONE in the future–Satan isn’t even there; he isn’t omnipresent. As humans we see life on a timeline. God made time for us, but He is eternal. Whatever happens was, is and is happening according to the mind of God; never “will happen.” So, God knows every one of our choices from beginning to end–OUR beginning to end, God has no beginning or end. Life is more like a circle to God (to put it in a simple, raw example), not a line. He knows what you and I have already chosen, even before we were. This is predestination; God already knows what we will choose by our free will now. He knows our end, the results of our choices, and He has already prepared either our reward or our judgment.
And I agree with mlle. lierre: for some things we must be prepared to wait; it is both a test of the mettle of our hearts, and a preparation for the highest and best–as I said in the last paragraph, we are so linear in our thinking as humans, so limited by our dependence upon timelines–but God is beyond this, knowing the best way and time for our prayers to be answered in view of both the events of the world, others’ progress, and His kingdom concerns.
Cami: I agree with your thoughts on time vs. God. You’re absolutely right — God is outside of time, so understanding His view of things is impossible for us, who are bound by time. I have to disagree with your definition of predestination, though. What you have described is God’s omniscience, not His predestination. Predestination means to determine before-hand or to make it happen. Just because God knows what we will do doesn’t mean He makes it happen. He may allow it to happen or He may intervene, but neither of those mean He has predestined the events. I’m not trying to be contrary; just wanted to clarify. I always love reading your thoughts.
Hrm, so we’re adding prayer to the list of God’s mysteries.
1 John says, “If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
But James says, “”You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss.”
And therein lies the challenge. Discerning God’s will.
But as you said, “We want everything to fit into neat, understandable order. That’s not going to happen.”
Theology tries to fit everything into boxes but often leads only to more questions. I’m beginning to understand at a new depth the importance of comprehending God not with my head but with my heart.
Only by spending time with God, He who is faithful and true, will we begin to receive the answers we seek.
And sometimes the answer is simply to accept the mystery.
I appreciated your honesty in this post. I know that so many good truths have already been brought forth in these comments, I just wanted to add one more.
Having struggled myself with infertility, I know exactly how you felt. It can be frustrating when all your friends get pregnant with the slightest effort, while you struggle month to month to do everything right and pray just the right way to make it happen.
It’s only when I take my eyes off Jesus that I find myself frustrated and “weary in well doing.” I think that’s the reason why He urged us to pray over everything. Not so we always get what we want, when we want them, but so that our hearts can remain focused on whatever HE wants for us as our own heart’s desire.
That being said, He does want us to ask. And the “prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” I say this because my mom had given up on the idea of a child after 8 years of infertility when a woman in her church asked to pray for her. I was born nine months later.
I think your conclusion is right. God can do whatever He wants, and whatever He wants is always what is best. We have the choice to obey His Word, and His Word makes it clear that we should ask and have faith. If we are truly praying in His Spirit, He’ll teach us what to pray for.
I did understand what your thought are on predestination, and it is a topic that does keep people from God–but just as the scripture says that “God hardened Pharoah’s heart” I know, as you said, God didn’t make that choice for Pharoah, but, He already knew that no matter what chances He placed in Pharoah’s pathway, he would never turn. God uses the conditions of our lives to sway us according to the state of our hearts, and since He knew us before we were, He knows our end and has our reward or judgment prepared for us. It is all about our free will companioned with Who God is…I think it’s semantics between you and I–for others, it’s life or death.
What a thought provoking and enjoyable discussion I stumbled upon.
I’ve really appreciated reading the post and everyone’s perspectives. It is indeed encouraging to know we have all struggled with this similar dilemma on faith and prayer.
Like you Tanya, I had my own wound from the words of a fellow sister in Christ. Although I had prayed for grace, I had a terribly painful and long labor with my first child. She knew of this. After her delivery she called me from the hospital and told me of what a wonderful labor she had. I told her how happy I was for her and she said, “It wasn’t anything I did. It was God’s grace.”
I felt stung and guilt overwhelmed me because I was angry. She was right and yet it offended me so much. Was she saying God didn’t show me grace? Did God not love me as much as he does her? It’s still hard for me to wrap my head around some days. I just have faith that God loves me too and I know he shows me grace everyday, just in different ways.
I’m glad I ran into this discussion. It has blessed me. Thank you.
Dear Tanya,
Wow, what an awesome post, and so many insightful responses.
Thanks for bringing up this topic of faith, healing and prayer.
After many years of serving the Lord, and being under so many different teaching on this subject, this is my conclusion.
Yes, we are all called to pray, believe and to have FAITH. But like you shared in Isaiah 55, God’s ways are so different then ours.
We do not have a clue to what the whole picture is, and the final ending will be. We are to obey God and trust Him completely, no matter the outcome.
I’ve prayed and my mom was healed of cancer, I prayed and prayed and my son still has a brain tumor inside his head. There was no difference in my prayers, or faith when I prayed.
Now I pray, “Lord be GLORIFIED” in my life, and do what ever it takes to bring YOU glory.
One of my favorite passages of scriptures is in Heb. 11. The great FAITH chapter. Most ministers love to share the first 11 verses. They are wonderful, they are true and they encourage me daily. However…
What about these:
Hebrews 13: “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
My ultimate goal and prayer is to always long for that country that awaits us all!
Healing here, healing there, just being with Jesus is all that matters in the end.
Enjoyed your blog! I’ll be back…
Susan